228 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



Work was suspended in May, 1873, and resumed in October^ 

 During the season of 1873-74, Mr. Wood made discoveries -wliich en- 

 abled him to complete his plan of the temple. More than 100 feet of 

 of the lowest steps of the platform were found in position in diiferent 

 parts ; also a sculptured drum, with draped figures alternately seated 

 and erect. At the beginning of 1874, Mr. Wood, having only a small 

 balance on hand, applied to ihe trustees of the British Museum. He 

 was allowed only a small sum, with instructions to close the work 

 when it was expended. He therefore began to remove the cella 

 walls, and found distinct remains of the last three temples. Part of 

 the pavement of the temple destroyed by Erostratus was found in 

 position, and also the altar at the east end of the cella, or shrine, whick 

 must have served for the three temples ; also about 200 fragments of 

 sculpture and architectural enrichment, of which the piers had been 

 composed. Some of the sculpture was archaic. As Mr. Wood found 

 several lime-kilns on the site of the temple, and large heaps of marble 

 chippings ready for burning, we know what became of the works of 

 Praxiteles, Scopas, and others. 



On extending the excavation thii-ty feet beyond the lowest step of 

 the i^latform a wide portico was found, which must have surrounded 

 the temple on three sides, and also the remains of a Grecian Doric 

 building, which could not be explored for w^ant of funds. We have 

 already stated that the foundations of the temple were laid in marshy 

 ground, and Pliny says that this ground was prepared for receiving 

 the foundation by having laid down upon it a layer first of charcoal, 

 and then of wool! Mr. Wood makes no mention of this absurd state- . 

 ment of Pliny's, but says that, according to the usual account of the 

 building of the temple, there was first laid a solid foundation of stonc^ 

 and that upon this were laid charcoal and pieces of wood. To clear up 

 the question, he made very careful excavations near the walls of the 

 temple and underneath the wall, and found first of all a layer four 

 inches thick, of a putty-like substance, very similar to glaziers' putty, 

 both in constitution and appearance. Underneath this there was a 

 layer of chai'coal three inches thick. Then came a layer of putty four 

 inches thick, making in all eleven inches, and upon this the walls of 

 the temple rest. 



